Travel
Cold weather brings higher costs, but 20 Beitou hot spring businesses hold the line on prices
Currently, the Beitou hot spring area in New Taipei is the only one in Taiwan where all hot spring operators have obtained the official hot spring certification. Since the opening of the Xinyi Line of the Taipei MRT, it's now directly accessible from Xinyi/Zhishan and Taipei 101, making it an extremely convenient hot spring destination. To allow the public to enjoy the pleasure of hot spring bathing in winter, the Taipei City Government and the Taipei Hot Spring Development Association jointly signed a declaration on December 24th, pledging no price hikes as of January 1st, 2014, working together to keep hot spring prices stable.
Don’t want to battle the crowds for the fireworks show? Taipei City recommends 19 trails and scenic spots for New Year’s Eve
As the countdown from 2013 to 2014 arrives next Tuesday, the highly anticipated Taipei 101 fireworks show will make its grand return once again. If you’d rather avoid the packed crowds and shoulder-to-shoulder congestion, consider the recommendations from Taipei City’s Department of Civil Engineering. They suggest heading to 15 nearby hiking trails or 4 scenic areas where you can comfortably enjoy the full view of the fireworks display.
Christmas Eve surprise gift: High-Speed Rail gives every passenger a chocolate stir stick
Commuters hurry to and fro in the station, but today (the 24th) is the annual Christmas Eve. Taiwan High-Speed Rail specially gave every passenger a “chocolate stir stick.” The cute design delighted everyone who received one. Passenger Ms. Huang, who was on her way to Hsinchu to meet her boyfriend, couldn’t put it down and was very grateful for the considerate gesture from the rail service.
A Parade of Red Crabs Pulling Sleighs – Celebrate Christmas on Christmas Island with Marine Life
At the mention of “Christmas Island,” many might imagine a faraway Nordic land covered in snow all year round... In reality, the real “Christmas Island” belongs to Australia. Its Southeast Asian geographical location means it enjoys year-round tropical heat, with sunshine, beaches, and island vibes that completely defy expectations.
Enjoy the scenery and great music in under 15 hours – A three-part event makes Tainan’s New Year’s Eve lively
To welcome 2014 and bid farewell to 2013, Tainan is holding the “2014 Tainan FUN Happiness” New Year’s Eve three-part event, inviting the public to bid farewell to the sunset and greet the sunrise within 15 hours, while also enjoying great music. The activities include bidding farewell to the sunset at Beimen Salt Fields at 4:30 p.m. on December 31, a New Year’s Eve concert featuring artists such as Weng Liyou, Guo Zigan, and Xu Zhan yuan in the evening, and a sunrise welcoming event at Erliau.
Newly opened Italian restaurant in Kaohsiung: the Surf & Turf Seafood Pot comes with a whole fish
There’s a restaurant here at the art museum. Hanging at the entrance is the green, white, and red Italian flag, and the shop is called all’Onda, which means “wave” in Italian. It’s an Italian restaurant that opened in September. The head chef is from Taipei and spent the past five years working at Italian restaurants, learning to cook under Italian chefs. Eventually, the couple decided to return to the wife’s hometown, Kaohsiung, to open their own place.
European train tickets to rise by an average of 5% – buy before Dec. 31 to save
As European train ticket prices are set to increase in 2014 by an average of 5%, travelers planning to visit Europe in the first half of 2014 can save by booking their tickets before Dec. 31. The tickets will remain valid for six months after purchase. For example, the price of a 15-day consecutive pass for 24 European countries equals a whole month of free 45 NT dollar lattes.
It’s not a litter box, silly—this is the one and only official cat toilet in all of Taiwan!
Dubbed one of the “World’s Six Best Cat-Watching Spots” by CNN, Houtong has drawn a surge of feline enthusiasts in recent years. The New Taipei City Government has blended elements of local cat culture and mining heritage to preserve Houtong’s original charm while upgrading its infrastructure. Among the improvements is a newly installed cat-themed public restroom on the station’s first floor, featuring adorable cat illustrations by illustrator Cat Little P. It’s now Taiwan’s first public restroom that combines local character with cats.
“VAPIANO” Italian cuisine sweeps through Taichung – Chip card dining is a cool gimmick
Officially opened in Taichung on 12/13. The really eye-catching feature is that each person gets their own chip card, which is handed out at the entrance. This chip card is used for all in-store purchases via contactless感应. No matter how you plan to spend, basically, one chip card is needed per item. Whether it’s pasta, pizza, a full meal, or drinks and salads – so if a family of four comes, you just split up the ordering among yourselves, and then settle the bill together when you exit.
Unhappy with overly commercial operations, Hoffman's Facebook makes no mention of Keelung's Little Yellow Duck
This time, Keelung’s yellow duck really got under Hoffman’s skin. Not only did he refuse to attend the opening ceremony, but he also criticized Fan Keqin’s money-making methods as ugly and cheap. Moreover, Hoffman didn’t share any photos or updates about Keelung’s little duck on his Facebook at all. The posts he shared on his Facebook on the 18th and 20th were both photos of the yellow duck in Osaka, Japan.
Korean Elementary School "Shaky Bento" – Traditional Hometown Flavors at Arirang Village
In recent years, a "Korean wave" has swept through Taiwan’s culinary scene, with Korean restaurants popping up everywhere. However, not all of them serve authentic flavors. Located near the Zhishan MRT Station in Taipei, "Arirang Village" offers traditional home-style Korean dishes from rural Korea, full of that comforting mom-made taste. Among them, the "Shaky Bento," which first gained fame on Nami Island, is a classic everyday meal that Korean students used to bring to school.
News / Taoyuan International Airport Welcomes Its 30 Millionth Passenger
On the morning of December 24, Taoyuan International Airport joyfully welcomed its 30 millionth passenger. The honored guest from Hong Kong received a round-trip business class ticket between Taipei and Hong Kong provided by China Airlines, along with several other gifts. The passengers immediately before and after the 30 millionth also each received prizes from Fubon Bank, as well as a round-trip ticket to Macau from EVA Air.
Step into the natural wonderland of Daxueshan and discover the breathtaking maple hues above the sea of clouds
As winter cold fronts sweep in one after another, many renowned maple-viewing spots have already reached the end of their season, but within Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area, autumn maple foliage is at its most vibrant.
An unprecedented new housing experience: A former U.S. nuclear missile base transformed into an Airbnb
A Cold War-era military base in Kansas, USA, has now been converted into an Airbnb accommodation option called Subterra Castle. For travelers seeking thrilling and unique lodging experiences, this place is truly one of a kind and well worth exploring.
An 8-meter-tall imitation yellow rubber duck floats into Jiji’s Wuchang Temple, staying until next year’s Lantern Festival
The healing power of the yellow rubber duck shows no signs of fading—the adorable yellow duck has now made its way to Jiji Township in Nantou County. The Jiji Wuchang Temple, which has been preserved in its post-921 earthquake collapsed state and become a local tourist attraction, is now home to this “only inland” yellow duck in all of Taiwan.
Falling in love with Kaohsiung all over again！ The heart-shaped swan installation takes Formosa Boulevard Station to the next level of romance
The Formosa Boulevard Station of the Kaohsiung MRT — once ranked among the most beautiful train stations in the world — has just gotten even more romantic. The Kaohsiung City Government has specially installed a number of large-scale green sculptures and plant art pieces such as the “Heart-Shaped Swan” and “Hearts in Harmony,” making an already stunning station even more picturesque. Even the MRT exits are beautifully designed, exuding endless romance.
Okinawa is getting more expensive！ A “Passenger Service Facility Charge” will be implemented starting February 2014
Traveling to Okinawa will become more costly from now on！ Naha Airport in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture will begin charging an international “Passenger Service Facility Charge” for departing and transit passengers. Starting February 17, 2014, all passengers—both adults and children—will be subject to fees of 1,000 yen (approximately NT$287) and 500 yen (approximately NT$144), respectively.
Boasting the world’s largest Christmas tree, the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka stands tall.
Standing at 27 meters high and adorned with over 100,000 lights, the Christmas tree at the Umeda Sky Building was once considered one of the world’s largest, alongside the tree at Rockefeller Center in New York’s Times Square. Next to the tree, there's also a small Christmas market — the “Osaka German Christmas Market” — where visitors can buy many holiday decorations. This icy-cold Christmas night draws in passersby who stop to admire the display.
Tokyo’s Christmas light displays are so romantic — the night view from the 52nd floor of Tokyo City View is amazing
I originally thought Tokyo was too urbanized and probably not that fun, but after visiting, I really felt that beyond its urban vibrancy and artistic vibe, Tokyo also has a unique cultural charm that’s distinctly Japanese. The scenery in the Tokyo suburbs is also beautiful, making it a place you’d want to revisit — such a captivating city.
The little yellow duck takes a bath — “even the brush broke” but it’s still just as dirty
After the little yellow duck was displayed on the 21st, a thick layer of grime accumulated on its body, turning it into a “lined duck.” On the morning of the 25th, the organizers gave the duck a 30-minute bath. However, the bath didn’t restore its cleanliness, as the duck remained covered in streaks of dirt. Regarding this, Huang Jing-tai, the event initiator, stated that the cleaning had limited effect, and they will temporarily suspend the operation for now. Further cleaning will be considered after consulting with a professional team.